The word “prohibitive” was used this morning. Standing at the top of the Landmark Building in Stamford, Brian Cashman was asked whether the current asking prices — for both free agents and potential trade targets — are prohibitive.

“Yes, so far,” Cashman said.

In the next breath, though, he offered a glimer of hope for those of you hoping for some sort of hot stove action in the next few days and weeks.

“At the end of the day, we’re ready to move on something if it makes sense,” Cashman said. “I’ll make a recommendation to ownership and they can bless it or they can tell me no, but right now we’re going to go to Dallas (for the Winter Meetings), we’re going to continue to engage – I’ve stayed engaged via email, text, phone, in person, it doesn’t matter – but we’re set in a lot of places, we really are. Could it be better? It’s my job to try to find ways to make it better.

“… Right now, if you’re asking me do I expect to do something in the next week? No. But I’ve had enough conversations where I could wind up doing something today. A lot of work has been done. A lot of conversations have been had. If somebody bends or adjusts, then I’m ready to make a recommendation for us to make a move.”